Nortriptyline (Brand Names: Aventyl, Pamelor)
Like bupropion, this antidepressant doubles your chances of quitting, which ought to make it an equal-opportunity option, right? But no. Mainly because so many people -- 78% -- who take it have side effects, especially dry mouth and sleepiness. Still, if other quit-smoking drugs haven't worked for you, it may be worth a try. In one study, nortriptyline and NRT helped 23% of smokers stop, though exactly how it works isn't clear.
So what's the big holdup? You may not be able to take nortriptyline and drive, which is a huge problem for many people. Side effects like sleepiness, light-headedness, shaky hands, and blurred vision can make you a danger behind the wheel. But if you can solve the transportation issue and your physician agrees that nortriptyline is worth a shot (and you have no history of heart disease), it sure beats smoking. Just don't drive or operate any heavy machinery until you know you can tolerate the drug without problems.
